Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Deputy Ó Caoláin has always had an active interest in mental health issues. There is a floor for the number of staff employed and the Mental Health Commission makes sure that is the case. We should be grateful to the commission. Ms McGuinness will outline the details of the numbers. We are reviewing the Mental Health Acts because so much of the service will be moved into the community. As Deputy Healy will be aware, significant work has been done in Clonmel and south Tipperary. Deputy Mattie McGrath has told me it has been hugely successful. I have taken notes of everyone's comments and I have written after Deputy Healy's name: "It will all end in tears." That is his general view of the health service. We also hope to get the Mental Health Commission to cast its eye on community-based services, which will ensure the balance between them and acute units is equalised. We want to make sure there is an equality in delivery of services both in the community and in the acute units.